[UK] HMRC pursues Gary Lineker for £4.9m tax bill

Gary Lineker appears to have become the latest public figure to be targeted by HMRC over tax discrepancies after the matter came before a tribunal, HuffPost reports.

Mr Lineker was told that he ought to have been classed as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport for his presenting duties, rather than as a freelancer. HMRC is now pursuing the Match Of The Day host for the £4.9 million that it claimed should have been paid on income received between 2013 and 2018.

Mr Lineker, however, insists all taxes were paid on the income via a partnership set up in 2012 with his ex-wife Danielle Bux. He is appealing against the demand.

The tribunal follows similar attempts by HMRC to target broadcasters including Lorraine Kelly and Kaye Adams. Both presenters won their cases on appeal. (Links via original reporting)

According to tax tribunal documents, Mr Lineker is disputing the bill and the matter will move on to a full hearing. He is expected to argue that his partnership Gary Lineker Media (GLM) is required as an entity to funnel his income through because of the wide variety of work he does.

HMRC will claim that his extensive work for BT Sport and the BBC means Mr Lineker should be classed as an employee for tax purposes. But sources close to the presenter reportedly insist that his BT Sport and BBC work represents a fraction of his overall work and both broadcasters have said previously that they consider him to be a freelancer.

The status means both broadcasters can avoid paying employers’ National Insurance Contributions. The outcome of the hearings could see Mr Lineker being found liable if a judge rules against him. Experts believe the total bill could total around £600,000 and HMRC will be able to see from its own records if he paid tax on the income being disputed.

At a hearing, HMRC will need to prove whether the BBC and BT Sport have control over Mr Lineker or if he has editorial independence.

Lorraine Kelly won her HMRC case on this basis by arguing that she was a performer with a high degree of control over her show. And a recent favourable decision by a tax tribunal over Kaye Adams - where she demonstrated that her business interests were wide and varied - could also be used in Mr Lineker’s hearing.

Gary Lineker appears to have become the latest public figure to be targeted by HMRC over tax discrepancies after the matter came before a tribunal, HuffPost reports.

Mr Lineker was told that he ought to have been classed as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport for his presenting duties, rather than as a freelancer. HMRC is now pursuing the Match Of The Day host for the £4.9 million that it claimed should have been paid on income received between 2013 and 2018.

Mr Lineker, however, insists all taxes were paid on the income via a partnership set up in 2012 with his ex-wife Danielle Bux. He is appealing against the demand.

The tribunal follows similar attempts by HMRC to target broadcasters including Lorraine Kelly and Kaye Adams. Both presenters won their cases on appeal. (Links via original reporting)

According to tax tribunal documents, Mr Lineker is disputing the bill and the matter will move on to a full hearing. He is expected to argue that his partnership Gary Lineker Media (GLM) is required as an entity to funnel his income through because of the wide variety of work he does.

HMRC will claim that his extensive work for BT Sport and the BBC means Mr Lineker should be classed as an employee for tax purposes. But sources close to the presenter reportedly insist that his BT Sport and BBC work represents a fraction of his overall work and both broadcasters have said previously that they consider him to be a freelancer.

The status means both broadcasters can avoid paying employers’ National Insurance Contributions. The outcome of the hearings could see Mr Lineker being found liable if a judge rules against him. Experts believe the total bill could total around £600,000 and HMRC will be able to see from its own records if he paid tax on the income being disputed.

At a hearing, HMRC will need to prove whether the BBC and BT Sport have control over Mr Lineker or if he has editorial independence.

Lorraine Kelly won her HMRC case on this basis by arguing that she was a performer with a high degree of control over her show. And a recent favourable decision by a tax tribunal over Kaye Adams - where she demonstrated that her business interests were wide and varied - could also be used in Mr Lineker’s hearing.